NNSH Shoulder flashes

Curious if any of you know when the colour of the shoulder flash for the North Nova Scotia Highlanders changed from black/gold to blue/gold? I looked a round the site could not find the subject matter.Thanks!

Bill,at one point they were black with the NNSH lettering in gold. The 3rd div patch itself has many different shades as I've seen along the way.The flash with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders that you see here is what I was curious about.These pieces were purchased by a family friend of a NNSH Lt.

Not sure if we are on the same wavelength here? It is difficult to respond without images of the titles in question. The titles you have are the authorized pattern in medium blue. These were approved in 1941, but the first pattern was made on medium blue felt not melton. In 1944, a second pattern was sealed, again in medium blue but on melton material. Note the variety of shades of blue, even on the printed pattern. Blue dye is notoriously hard to match, and the same dye reacts differently on different fabric or different bolts of fabric depending on the method used to make the base fabric. The dark dark blue / black pattern are the starch back pattern and were never authorized and were likely a provided by a manufacturer for private purchase.

Below is an image of NNSH titles, all authorized patterns. Note there are various shades of blue. The second image is the title I thought you were asking about. In bright light mine appears to be either black or dark dark blue. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

I have a couple NNS flashes that are from WWII and are not included in your picture. You said the ones you have pictured are "approved pattern flashes" I have a couple early WWII flashes normally reffered to as Aldershot weave. Would they be considered private phurchase items?

Hi Ron, Could you post an image? I wouldn't want to say without seeing the titles.I have several more NNSH title varieties that are not in the image. For some reason the NNSH have a large number of titles, but a lot of them are questionable. And for some reason the NNSH titles realize very strong prices when auctioned.

Thanks for the reply, I gave up trying to post pictures on this site some time ago. I can email you some one day. I agree with you about the expensive prices realized on some of the early or rare variations of NNSH shoulder flashes. I paid about $300 for the pair that I am reffering to. UPTHEROYALS had a similar pair on his site, White cloth backing with lovely hand done stiches through it.

Awesome title collection! I'd be interested in seeing the various NNSH flashes(shoulder titles) you all have...for future reference. The group of flashes and 3rd Div. patches you see above are what I acquired for my personal collection. Along with these came NNSH Lt. Gow's shirt,police suspenders,canvas field wash bin and original cloth gaiters.

It is important to realize that the NNSH wore their flashes in Canada up until 1954, when they were amalgamated with the Pictou and Cape Breton's to form the Nova Scotia Highlanders. Some of the patterns that exist are from that time period, but determing exactly which ones is difficult.

Exactly Bill. This is one reason why documentation of the items,where/who they came from etc. is so important. In a museum once I witnessed where the original hate badges for glens and tams were in different boxes.They were separated when they came into the museum...it was sad to see.

Ron (48th) Sent these images of some varieties from his collection. Note the construction of the titles. The bottom one is the starch back pattern. I don't believe these were ever taken into wear by the Regiment.

Not sure how to answer this. Flo, the title appears to be a copy of the starch back pattern. Your title has the "Canadian" style embroidery. (eg on the horizontal vs on the bias) The back/backing is not correct for a starch back, BUT starch back titles were NOT AN AUTHORIZED pattern. There is no record these were never officially acquired.